Poison alert for pet owners on Quantocks as buzzard dies

PET owners are being warned by police to be vigilant after the death of a buzzard on the Quantock Hills which had been poisoned with a banned pesticide.
The dead buzzard was found by a walker on the hills. It was lying on top of a dead pheasant not far from a game bird release pen.
Post mortems on the buzzard and the pheasant showed both had the banned pesticide carbofuran in their bodies.
Carbofuran was once widely used to control insects in a variety of field crops, including potatoes, corn, and soybeans, and is known to be highly toxic to birds with just a single grain causing death.
Police said they believed the pheasant may have been baited to target animals which preyed on game birds, but they were unsure if was left specifically for buzzards.
Together with officials from Natural England, police officers searched the Quantocks earlier this month for any signs of the banned substance and to carry out safety checks on pesticide stores.
Police wildlife crime officer Sgt Andy Whysall said: “The indiscriminate poisoning of wildlife is a serious matter which affects all who use the countryside.
“Pet owners walking on the hills are advised to avoid contact with animal carcasses, suspect baits, pesticides, or pesticide containers.”
Natural England spokesman David Trump said: “Dogs have a tendency to pick things up while walking and some pesticides are fairly quick acting, so sometimes by the time owners realise their pet is unwell it is too late.
“It is also potentially hazardous to children and people in general.
“We want people to be aware and to report anything suspicious to the police.”
Animal Concern charity spokesman John Robins said bird poisonings were often difficult to solve because they took place in remote areas and the birds could fly some distance away from where they took the bait.
Mr Robins said: “We urge people to contact the police immediately and not to touch anything they find because it is evidence and it can be lethal.”
It is a criminal offence carrying a maximum fine of £5,000 to supply, sell, store, or use any non-approved pesticide.
The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme investigates deaths of wildlife where there is evidence that pesticide poisoning may be involved and has appealed for information about the buzzard’s death.
Anybody with information should call 0800 321600.

• Our photograph shows the carcass of the buzzard found on the Quantocks. Photo submitted.

Dulverton police team up with Devon and Cornwall officers to catch anti-social drivers

POLICE in Dulverton teamed up with their Devon and Cornwall colleagues in Bampton for a weekend of relentless activity to crack down on anti-social driving.
Operation Dodge was in response to a recent rise in reports of anti-social driving in and around the Dulverton, Tiverton, and Bampton areas.
The operation, which was carried out on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23, focussed on anti-social driving, speeding, and drink drivers.
Officers gave advice to local motorists as well as using powers under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act.
Section 59 is an effecting tool for ensuring anybody driving without the expected care and attention can receive a warning notice which applies to both the driver and the vehicle and lasts for 12 months.
If, in this time, a second incident occurs - involving the driver or the vehicle - police will seize the vehicle and may prosecute the driver.
Dulverton Neighbourhood Police team Sgt Andy Whysall, said: “Operation Dodge was an excellent example of multi-agency working at its best.
“Avon and Somerset Constabulary joined forces with Devon and Cornwall to tackle the growing issue of anti-social driving across the border.
“We were able to collate and share valuable intelligence and together we hope that we were able to raise awareness of the consequences of committing driving-related offences.
“We would like to encourage local residents to continue to report any incidents of anti-social driving in their neighbourhood by calling their Safer Stronger neighbourhood policing team on 0845 456 7000.
“The message is clear - anybody driving in an anti-social manner in and around the Dulverton, Bampton, and Tiverton areas can expect to receive a fixed penalty notice or in some cases, their vehicle may be seized.”

• Our photograph shows police stopping and talking to a car driver. Photo by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.